Wall of Fame - Jami's Story

Scoliosis, defined as a structural lateral curvature of the spine. Some of you may have already heard this medical term before some may not. I became very familiar with this medical diagnosis in 1974, when I was 12 years old.

My name is Jami Marie DeSiato-Partrick. I am an active 44 year old woman who is a Licensed Physical Therapist and, more importantly, the mother of 3 wonderful boys.

In the Spring of 1974, during a routine spinal exam at school, I was referred to an Orthopedic Specialist for a slight differentiation of my pelvic crests. Upon further evaluation, it was determined that I had an approximate 10-15 degree lateral curve of my lumbar spine. I was to be checked and re-evaluated within one month. However, I broke my left Tibia and Fibula and was put in a long leg cast.

When my leg cast was removed, I was rechecked by the Orthopedic Surgeon. My curve had gone from slight (10-15 degrees) to greater than 60 degrees. My parents were told at the rate at which the curve was progressing, wearing a brace would be a mute point and surgery was our only option. Having the education that I do now, I truly believe that my curve progressed so rapidly because I was non-weight bearing on the left lower extremity while using crutches for 3 months. I have no immediate or distant relatives with a history of Scoliosis.

December 31, 1974, I underwent a 10 hour surgery to place a stainless steel "Herrrington Rod" parallel to my spine at The Children’s Hospital in Denver. The initial instrumentation extended from just the top of the curve to the bottom. It was then "jacked", pulling the spine straight-flush up against the rod. Bone was taken from my pelvic crests, pulverized then placed and packed around the most superior and inferior ends of the instrumentation. This would result in the fusion of my spine from T7 to L2. My incision runs straight down my vertebral column and was closed with an adhesive glue therefore I have no ugly suture scars. During the procedure I was given many units of blood which I had a horrible allergic reaction to causing me to break out in extreme swollen hives all over my body. When I awoke, it felt like my entire back area was on fire therefore, I remained on a morphine drip pump for pain management.

For the next week or so I was only allowed to "log" roll from side to side. This was to allow the pulverized bone to harden and stabilize and to make sure my incision was healing properly without infection before I could be placed in a body cast.

I will never forget "casting" day! I was taken to "The Casting Room", a body stocking was placed over my entire torso and I was put on a rack like structure allowing the technicians the accessibility they needed to wrap my body circumferentially from my collar bone, under my arms down to my pubic bone, and up over my hips. A circular cut out was made for my diaphragm to expand. It was quite possibly the most terrifying and extremely uncomfortable experience of my lifetime. The plaster was very hot at first, then as it began to dry it became very, very cold. The nurses would not let me cover up with any blankets, sheets, etc. until it was completely dry 24 hours later. I wore this cast for the next 9 months.

Now I was ready to get up and out of bed. I had various encounters with the wonderful Physical Therapists at Children’s Hospital, thus my career choice. After being in the hospital for 1 month I was discharged. My parents were advised to keep me active and flexible, which led me to Ballet.

I was involved in Ballet through high school at which time my interests turned toward weight training and cardio-aerobic exercise.

I have carried and delivered 3 babies to full term pregnancies without complications. Due to the instrumentation in my spine I was NOT allowed to have epidurals for pain but I did experience very intense lumbar pain during labor.

Thirteen weeks into my pregnancy with my 8 year old I was put on strict bed rest at home for 26 LONG weeks. Strict meaning I could only be upright to take a five minute shower, use the bathroom, and sit at a 30 degree angle to eat my meals. I took my Doctors orders very seriously and did not deviate from my restrictions. Having the education I did, I knew that, physically, this was not good for my muscles, tendons, bones, etc. But my unborn child’s health was at greater risk. I did wear high top tennis shoes to keep my Achilles tendons from shortening. I did many, many ankle pumps against a wood board every hour throughout my days as well as many isometric lower extremity contractions. I am happy to report that my son was born full term, healthy and without any complications.

After my youngest was born, I was discovering it more and more difficult to find time for me, thus my work outs suffered. Motivation was definitely missing. This was causing major stress (physically and emotionally) for me because throughout most of my life since my back surgery, I had been very committed to working out. Then a friend referred me to a Personal Trainer.

For the last 2 years I have been training with Brian Miller, owner of Fitness Evolution. My one hour sessions Monday, Wednesday, and Friday consist of full body work outs including free weights, functional movements with or without weighted balls, cardio on an elliptical, stair master, or spinner mixed in, abdominal focus and ending with a cool down. I do 15-20 minutes of stretching on my own. On Tuesday and Thursday I attend a hour and fifteen minute cardio/core muscle strengthening class at a local recreation center. Saturdays I ride a recumbent bike for 20-30 minutes in my home gym. Sunday is my day of rest.

I have also re-trained myself in my eating habits. I have become very conscientious of what I am eating. I have learned to read all food labels. I try very hard to balance my protein and carbohydrate intake while watching fat and sugary intakes. I also eat healthy snacks in between my 3 squares a day. I take a multi-vitamin, calcium, and a flax seed supplement daily. And I ALWAYS drink lots of water. I am constantly on the go with my boys, so a bottle of cold water always accompanies me.

Below are my beginning and current measurements obtained by skin pinch tests performed by Brian Miller, Fitness Evolution:

Mr. Miller has given me the guidance and motivation in rediscovering the excitement and drive that has been lacking in my exercise regiment. The human body has always amazed and intrigued me, especially in the way in which it responds to consistent physical activity and healthy nutritional intake. THANK YOU BRIAN.......I love the new and improved me!

If you are wondering what limitations I have because of my spine, there are no set rules but common sense and listening to my body have helped. I have ridden horses, roller coasters, and jet skis without complications. Only in the last couple of years have I experienced problems with my sacro-iliac joint. This can be attributed to the fact that since my spine is fused from T7 through L2 that the structures above and below those two points have become hyper-mobile. SO I must be very mindful of sitting for long periods of time, avoiding awkward unilateral weight bearing, and wearing proper-supportive footwear is a must.

32 years later I still have my Herrington Rod. I was told I could have it removed but the thought of having my incision reopened putting me at risk for infection and complications has not been appealing. My motto: "If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it".

Inspiration is my motive. Thank you for reading my story.

Fitness Professional:

Brian Miller - Founder/Owner
Fitness Evolution
12790 West Alameda Parkway
Lakewood, CO  80228
(303) 238-5015

www.fitnessevolutiononline.com